Chapter Summaries

Jiang Qiu continued training Shadow Tread despite Wu Hao’s warning, then received the rewards for placing first in the Military Department test. He used two Bone Spirit Incenses in a medicinal bath, where his leg bones shattered and began to be reforged.

• Wu Hao visited Jiang Qiu in the Virtual Training Pod and warned him that Shadow Tread was difficult, but Jiang Qiu refused his suggestion to spar instead.
• Jiang Qiu ended his training, rested with grilled Azure-Feathered Great Bird, and used extremely low-quality body tempering to recover.
• Yang Yu delivered Jiang Qiu’s rewards, including Spirit Incenses, contribution points, buyback-price increases, and an extra Bone Spirit Incense approved by General Mo.
• Yang Yu offered to watch over Jiang Qiu while he tried a medicinal bath with two Bone Spirit Incenses, but he declined and sent her away.
• Jiang Qiu entered the bath with two Bone Spirit Incenses, and the intense treatment shattered his leg bones as their essence began reforging them.

Jiang Qiu completed Shadow Tread, defeated the Faceless Man, and took first place on the Movement Technique Ranking. Wu Hao and more than twenty selected candidates gathered in his pod, where Wu Hao challenged him to a movement technique exchange, which Jiang Qiu accepted.

• Jiang Qiu completed Shadow Tread and defeated the Faceless Man, advancing to the skull stage of the Steel Bones Realm.
• The Movement Technique Ranking updated with Jiang Qiu in first place, ahead of Lin Wei.
• Wu Hao projected into Jiang Qiu’s pod, and more than twenty selected candidates followed after hearing Jiang Qiu had defeated the Faceless Man.
• The gathered candidates discussed Jiang Qiu’s achievement, and Wu Hao challenged him to a movement technique exchange.
• Jiang Qiu accepted Wu Hao’s challenge, which prohibited weapons.

Jiang Qiu mastered Shadow Tread in thirteen days and defeated Wu Hao with a movement technique that surpassed Yang Zheng’s and Lin Wei’s. After seeing the sparring recording, Liu Qi told Jiang Qiu he could surpass Lin Wei before the Demonic Blood Soaring Incense arrived and undergo a major transformation.

• Liu Qi learned that Jiang Qiu had defeated his sparring opponent with Shadow Tread and was about to face Wu Hao.
• Jiang Qiu struck past Wu Hao’s guard before Wu Hao could complete his first step, astonishing the priority students.
• Wu Hao acknowledged Jiang Qiu’s skill, and the onlookers praised his Shadow Tread as superior to Yang Zheng’s and Lin Wei’s.
• Jiang Qiu decided to study spear techniques next, but found the recorded first-stage techniques inferior to his own Soaring Dragon Thrust.
• Liu Qi visited Jiang Qiu, praised his rapid mastery of Shadow Tread, and said he had a way for Jiang Qiu to surpass Lin Wei and obtain the Dongqi Lake Master’s Demonic Blood Soaring Incense.

Liu Qi urged Jiang Qiu to enter his spear technique into the system and challenge Lin Wei’s Moon-Slicing Strike, explaining that Jiang Qiu’s rapid growth suggested latent Martial Arts Talent. After Jiang Qiu agreed, Liu Qi learned that the General wanted his technique made available for sergeants to study.

• Liu Qi showed Jiang Qiu Lin Wei’s top-ranked spear and bow techniques and argued that Jiang Qiu possessed exceptional latent Martial Arts Talent.
• Liu Qi proposed that Jiang Qiu challenge a sparring opponent modeled after Lin Wei to compete against Moon-Slicing Strike, and Jiang Qiu agreed to enter his technique into the system.
• Liu Qi explained that Jiang Qiu would earn contribution points when others studied his spear technique and described the Military Department’s resource shortages and the value of Dongqi Lake Master Zhuli’s Essence Blood.
• Liu Qi received a call from the General and confirmed Jiang Qiu had mastered Shadow Tread, defeated Yang Zheng’s sparring opponent, and completed the torso stage of the Steel Bones Realm.
• Liu Qi told the General that Jiang Qiu had agreed to upload the move that crippled Ox King’s right arm and proposed letting off-duty sergeants observe his technique entry.

Jiang Qiu prepared to record Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven before a massive audience, but the Executive Committee added a combat challenge that could pit him against Lin Wei. The contest began with both spear techniques restricted to a single move, leaving Jiang Qiu facing a virtual opponent matched to Lin Wei’s earlier strength.

• Liu Qi announced that Jiang Qiu would demonstrate his spear technique and receive at least 1,000 contribution points.
• Jiang Qiu entered the central training pod as hundreds of students and more than a thousand sergeants gathered to watch.
• Jiang Qiu spotted Lin Wei among the spectators, while Lin Xiao and Liu Qi discussed whether Jiang Qiu could surpass Lin Wei’s Moon-Slicing Strike.
• The display announced that Jiang Qiu and a sparring partner could use only Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven and Moon-Slicing Strike, with the partner matched to Lin Wei’s strength when he first recorded his move.
• Jiang Qiu stepped toward the virtual sparring partner as the recording contest began.

Jiang Qiu defeated Lin Wei’s sparring partner with Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven, earning first place on the spear technique leaderboard. Lin Wei then challenged Jiang Qiu to test the technique in person, as the crowd waited for their fight.

• Jiang Qiu unleashed Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven and destroyed the sparring partner’s Moon-Slicing Strike, defeating him instantly.
• The system classified Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven as a five-star, quasi-second-tier spear technique, and the crowd celebrated Jiang Qiu’s victory.
• The spear technique leaderboard placed Jiang Qiu first and Lin Wei second, prompting Jiang Qiu to consider the rewards and Demonic Blood Soaring Incense he could earn.
• Lin Wei requested to test Jiang Qiu’s spear technique, and the crowd turned its attention to their anticipated match.

Jiang Qiu faced Lin Wei in a spear match to decide the leading place in the rankings, and Lin Wei overwhelmed him with his transformed Moon-Slicing Strike. As the blow pressed down on him, Jiang Qiu used a Life and Death Simulation to transform his Penetrating Force into force momentum and launched Dragon Roar Rises.

• Lin Wei entered the arena and praised Jiang Qiu's Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven before challenging him to fight at full strength.
• Jiang Qiu and Lin Wei agreed that their match would settle ownership of the Demonic Blood Soaring Incense and began their combat exchange.
• Lin Wei's opening strike forced Jiang Qiu back, but Jiang Qiu resolved to face Lin Wei's superior speed, strength, and realm with his Spear Momentum.
• Lin Wei unleashed an evolved Moon-Slicing Strike, and his spear blade clashed with Jiang Qiu's spear tip under crushing force.
• Jiang Qiu activated Life and Death Simulation, transformed Penetrating Force into force momentum, and launched Dragon Roar Rises.

Jiang Qiu defeated Lin Wei with an evolved Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven, claiming first place and impressing the arena. Back in Warehouse 8, he learned that Demonic Blood Soaring Incense would arrive that afternoon and that he had received five thousand contribution points for his spear technique.

• Jiang Qiu unleashed Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven, shattered Lin Wei's attack, and struck the arena barrier with a blood-colored blue dragon.
• Lin Xiao recognized the technique's second-tier power, while Liu Qi celebrated Jiang Qiu's victory and his chance to receive Su Xiang refined from Zhuli's essence blood.
• Lin Wei acknowledged Jiang Qiu's superiority and saluted him, and Jiang Qiu was hailed as first place in both rankings.
• Jiang Qiu returned from the Virtual Training Pod to Warehouse 8, exhausted but pleased that his fight had pushed his spear technique beyond its limits.
• Liu Qi told Jiang Qiu that Lin Wei had yielded first choice of Su Xiang and that the best Demonic Blood Soaring Incense would arrive that afternoon.
• Liu Qi also informed Jiang Qiu that Lin Xiao had awarded him five thousand contribution points for entering Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven.

Jiang Qiu used his contribution points to arrange improvements to Advanced Su Fragrance and learned he could obtain Demonic Blood Soaring Incense made from the Dongqi Lake Master’s essence blood. The chapter ended with him being ranked first overall and summoned to the Resource Building for a medicinal bath.

• Jiang Qiu called Wu Shan to ask about using contribution points to improve Advanced Su Fragrance, revealing that registering Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven had earned him 5,000 points.
• Wu Shan said the points could replace some materials in the Advanced Su Fragrance plans and agreed to consult the fragrance expert.
• Jiang Qiu confirmed he could obtain Demonic Blood Soaring Incense made from Zhuli’s essence blood, and Wu Shan said it could help him forge the highest-quality Jade Tendons.
• Jiang Qiu told Wu Shan about his recent achievements and transferred his contribution points, then learned that Liu Zili and the other students had made progress in cultivation.
• Jiang Qiu received a call saying he had been ranked first overall and was to go to the Resource Building immediately for a medicinal bath.

Jiang Qiu underwent a dangerous medicinal bath with Demonic Blood Soaring Incense refined from Zhuli’s essence blood. He survived the transformation and gained a Steel Body, gestating Flood Dragon Jade Tendons, and the Flood Dragon Eye ability.

• Lin Xiao explained that the Demonic Blood Soaring Incense could help Jiang Qiu awaken a Bloodline Talent and warned that enduring the metamorphosis required strong willpower.
• Jiang Qiu entered the sealed nutrition pod, opened the vial, and added its contents to the bathwater.
• The medicinal bath plunged Jiang Qiu into an abyss of crushing pressure, but he held onto his goals until his consciousness collapsed.
• Jiang Qiu’s panel recorded the completion of his Steel Body and the gestation of Flood Dragon Jade Tendons, while the Flood Dragon Eye became switchable.
• Jiang Qiu woke in the bath and saw the world in gray and white, with Liu Qi and Lin Xiao appearing as red flames.

After the Demonic Blood Soaring Incense bath, Jiang Qiu discovered that he had awakened Flood Dragon Eye despite the officials believing he had not, and he planned to advance his Jade Tendons before the entrance exam. A call from Wu Shan then presented him with two options for refining Advanced Su Fragrance, leaving Jiang Qiu to decide whether to spend more precious ingredients for a chance at much higher efficiency.

• Jiang Qiu emerged from the seven-day medicinal bath without revealing his awakened Flood Dragon Eye to Lin Xiao or Liu Qi.
• Jiang Qiu used Flood Dragon Eye to sense Liu Qi’s Blood Qi and secretly chose to keep his Bloodline Talent concealed.
• Liu Qi arranged for Jiang Qiu to train in the second-tier bow technique Arc Light Arrow so he could nurture his Jade Tendons before the entrance exam.
• Jiang Qiu reviewed his improved Steel Body and Flood Dragon Eye, then planned to use Bow Su Xiang to practice Arc Light Arrow.
• Wu Shan told Jiang Qiu that the expert refining Advanced Su Fragrance could use some precious ingredients for fifty-to-sixty-percent efficiency or replace all ordinary ingredients for a chance to exceed ninety percent.

Jiang Qiu chose to postpone investing in a 90%-efficient Advanced Su Fragrance and used Bow Su Xiang to train Arc Light Arrow. He then agreed to let seven bases add his spear technique, Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven, in exchange for Contribution Points and a share of future learning costs.

• Wu Shan told Jiang Qiu that developing Advanced Su Fragrance at 90% efficiency would cost 30,000 Contribution Points and urged him to pursue it if possible.
• Jiang Qiu decided to postpone Advanced Su Fragrance, took a Bow Su Xiang medicinal bath, and entered the Virtual Training Pod to learn Arc Light Arrow.
• Jiang Qiu struggled to form an arrow from blood and qi, then fired a tipped arrow with the Black Flood Dragon bow and began practicing the modified technique.
• Liu Qi told Jiang Qiu that several bases wanted to add Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven after hearing he had registered the spear technique.
• Jiang Qiu agreed to let seven bases add Enraged Dragon Facing Heaven after learning that General Mo had awarded him 1,000 Contribution Points and that he would receive a share of future learning costs.

After mastering Arc Light Arrow, Jiang Qiu returned to No.8 Middle School and discussed the upcoming college entrance exam with Director Zhao. Zhao asked him to help protect the school’s other students, then gave him the newly refined Advanced Su Fragrance, named Source of the Demon King.

• Jiang Qiu completed the Arc Light Arrow test after ten days of intensive practice and took first place in the Archery Rankings.
• Liu Qi gave Jiang Qiu a Storage Ring from the base, which Jiang Qiu chose to give to someone else.
• Jiang Qiu returned to No.8 Middle School, where Director Zhao praised his progress and sent Sun Yongsheng to meet the Principal.
• Director Zhao asked Jiang Qiu to look after their schoolmates during the college entrance exam, and Jiang Qiu promised to help if he could.
• Director Zhao gave Jiang Qiu the Advanced Su Fragrance, named Source of the Demon King, for a medicinal bath after the mobilization meeting.

Jiang Qiu returned to No.8 Middle School as the students prepared for the dangerous college entrance examination in Kunlun City, and was appointed their student leader. Before they parted to prepare, he gave Liu Zili ten portions of Martial Spirit Incense to help her reach the Iron Flesh Realm.

• Jiang Qiu returned to Field No. 8 and joked with the students about running if the examination became too dangerous.
• At a meeting, Principal Sun De explained the Kunlun City examination and named Jiang Qiu No.8 Middle School's student leader.
• Jiang Qiu and Liu Zili walked through the Slum Area, where she admitted she was still short of reaching the Iron Flesh Realm.
• Jiang Qiu gave Liu Zili ten portions of Martial Spirit Incense, and she accepted them after he said they were a return gift.
• Jiang Qiu and Liu Zili parted at an intersection, then both looked back at each other before going their separate ways.

Jiang Qiu used Advanced Su Fragrance to trace his bloodline and glimpsed a colossal spider he suspected was the Crimson Flame Spider Matriarch, gaining new abilities and a mysterious reincarnation status. After losing two days in the medicinal bath, he joined No.8 Middle School’s college entrance examination team as it prepared to depart.

• Jiang Qiu bathed in Advanced Su Fragrance and experienced a vision of a gigantic spider surrounded by eight green moons and sixteen pillars.
• Jiang Qiu saw that the source connection had transformed his soul and wondered whether the spider was the Crimson Flame Spider Matriarch.
• Jiang Qiu discovered the Obscuring Sight talent and the Reincarnation Medium status, which could let him forge ancient Jade Tendons upon entering the Jade Tendons Realm.
• Jiang Qiu realized two days had passed during his bath, dressed, and hurried to join the examination assembly at No.8 Middle School.
• Zhao Gongzheng found that his Bright Sight could no longer clearly see Jiang Qiu’s realm, then lamented that No.8 Middle School had too few strong examinees and that the school had held Jiang Qiu back.

Jiang Qiu and the students from No.8 Middle School entered the Kunlun City South District examination zone and headed for a hotel at South City Plaza to establish a base. They discovered a large group of examinees racing toward the same building, leaving open whether they would be rivals from Sanliang City.

• Plateau City’s convoy merged and struggled for the road with Sanliang City’s convoy before both reached the examination base in Kunlun City South District.
• Gao Yang warned the examinees to avoid active secret realms and stay within examiner-controlled zones, then announced the start of the examination.
• Jiang Qiu chose South City Plaza as his team’s temporary base, and Zhang Shan led the eighty-two No.8 Middle School students after him.
• Jiang Qiu directed the group toward the tallest hotel at the plaza for its vantage point and safer sleeping quarters.
• The students spotted more than a thousand examinees racing toward the same hotel, raising the prospect of a dispute over who would occupy it.

Jiang Qiu led the No.8 Middle School students to a grand hotel in ruined Kunlun City and faced down a much larger group from Inner City Fourth High School. From the rooftop, he spotted a powerful, familiar presence in a purple-mist secret realm and fired at it with his [Black Flood Dragon] bow.

• Jiang Qiu used Shadow Tread to reach the grand hotel ahead of the students, while Sun Yongsheng encouraged the others to follow him.
• Zhang Heng and Inner City Fourth High School arrived and demanded to choose rooms first, but Jiang Qiu stood his ground and let No.8 Middle School enter ahead of them.
• Sun Yongsheng led the No.8 Middle School students inside, and Zhang Heng withdrew with his group to avoid a conflict.
• Jiang Qiu inspected the hotel and the damaged city from the rooftop, spotting two small secret realms among the ruins.
• Jiang Qiu sensed a familiar top-tier demon beast in the purple mist and fired an Azure Dragon Chasing Shadow arrow at it.

Jiang Qiu led No.8 Middle School deeper into the secret-realm ruins while No.4 Middle School swept the outskirts. After killing several high-level demon beasts, he divided his classmates into hunting groups and prepared to raid a nest of Red-Armored Great Lizards.

• Jiang Qiu fired an Azure Dragon Chasing Shadow arrow at a distant presence he suspected was the Ox King, then vowed to kill it before the month-long exam ended.
• Jiang Qiu led his classmates past No.4 Middle School’s guarded base and into the deeper streets, using his vision to locate demon beasts.
• Zhang Heng and Ye Shu heard a high-level demon beast howl and assumed an examiner had killed it when the sound abruptly stopped.
• Jiang Qiu killed the high-level Red-Eyed Rat, gained five Blood Qi Points, and confirmed that no other high-level demon beasts were nearby.
• Jiang Qiu sent Li Juefeng and Sun Yongsheng to lead groups to hunt in an underground parking lot and a hospital, while taking Field No. 8 to raid a Red-Armored Great Lizard nest.

Jiang Qiu led Plateau City Outer City No.8 Middle School to a strong first-day showing, earning high rankings and two high-tier beasts. As he encouraged his discouraged teammates to keep improving, Qian Cheng resolved to work harder and fight mid-tier beasts.

• Zhang Heng led Fourth High School back from hunting, but Jiang Qiu's team arrived with more beasts, including two high-tier ones.
• Ye Shu checked the exam rankings and discovered No.8 Middle School was forty-seventh overall, while Jiang Qiu ranked thirty-third in the province.
• Jiang Qiu divided the high-tier beast meat among his students and told them he would handle high-tier beasts while they hunted what they could manage.
• Jiang Qiu showed the team their low individual rankings, then reassured them that the exam offered time, beast meat, and chances to grow stronger.
• Qian Cheng received his portion of high-tier beast meat and resolved to train harder and kill mid-tier beasts.

After No.4 Middle School changed hunting grounds and surged up the rankings, Jiang Qiu considered the dangers and potential rewards of an active secret realm zone. The No.8 Middle School students voted to enter the purple-mist-covered area together the next day, with Jiang Qiu warning them to wait for his signal if powerful beasts appeared.

• Zhang Heng discovered that No.8 Middle School had overtaken No.4 Middle School, so he led his students to another secret realm area to hunt high-level demonic beasts.
• Jiang Qiu continued training and killing beasts, noting that most of his classmates still had little chance of entering the top ten thousand.
• Jiang Qiu learned that Zhang Heng and Ye Shu had taken No.4 Middle School into the active secret realm zone, and Sun Yongsheng described the risks and rewards of entering secret realms.
• Jiang Qiu saw that No.4 Middle School had climbed to twenty-first place and asked whether his classmates wanted to hunt in the secret realm zone too.
• Li Juefeng, Zhang Shan, Wang Guanjia, Xie Kuang, and the rest of the group raised their hands, and Jiang Qiu agreed to lead them into the zone together the next day.